Whimsy Stamps ~ Merry & Bright

Hey crafty friends, I'm back with another set of cards, using both the positive and the negative of the word die to create two fast but fabulous Christmas cards. I did a course just recently with Jennifer McGuire, Kristina Werner, Cathy Zielske and Dana Joy and it was so much fun. We worked through techniques to add interest to creations and two of these were used on the cards I'm sharing today. 

The first technique was one Jennifer taught which used two toning ink colours to ink up half the panel for an ombré effect and then stamping with water to create a watermark effect in the water reactive ink. Although my watermark is very subtle on this darker card, it's definitely there and adds a lovely subtle bit of interest to that card. I know for next time, I need to double stamp with water to get a more prominent watermark. I used a fabulous background stamp from Whimsy for this technique called Snow Flurry Background. These larger background rubber stamps are retiring, so I'm snapping up all those on my wishlist while I still can. Once they're gone, they're not being restocked. I've had this stamp for a couple of years and absolutely love it for Christmas makes. I used some silver glitter cardstock snowflakes cut with a gorgeous Whimsy border snowflake die set and then lots of bling from This Calls For Confetti to finish this card. I love the fun pink retro snowflakes. The finished panel was added to a white top folding A2 card base.

The second technique was inking up a stamp with multiple ink colours, which I did on the background for the second card. This awesome Illusion Background Stamp from Whimsy is also retiring soon so if you love it as much as I do, don't be shy to grab it! For this card, I took the silver panel that I'd diecut the first greeting from, and diecut around where I'd cut the sentiment, with the shadow die, so I was left with a frame and gaps where the sentiment had been cut out. I then layered in the letters from the other panel, which have a lovely ombré effect from that panel. I used inks for the background stamp that toned with the first card and added the sentiment popped up on foam. I added some bling in reflected symmetry as I've learnt from watching Cathy Zielske. I never feel happy with my placement choice of bling if it's too random, so this reflected symmetry has given me a bit or a starting point. I trimmed top and bottom of this panel with some silver glitter cardstock, the same I used for the snowflakes in the first card and added it to an A2 card base which I cut from some lovely Spellbinders cardstock in a toning shade of green. 

These were such fun cards to create, I really enjoyed exploring these techniques taught by these amazing teachers. I knew many of them, but it was nice to be reminded to use them and some were taught with a bit of a spin which is always fun. So I was glad I did the class and it was a fun way to spend a day. 

Thanks for popping in to visit today. Christmas is fast approaching and I've still a few more cards to share, so I'll try to share one each day for the next few days. I've been creating faster than I can blog lately! Hugs and happy crafting to you all, wishing you wonderful days in the lead up to Christmas, Wends xoxo

(I use affiliate links where possible, which helps the companies I design for to improve their marketing practice. I receive a small commission, which costs you no extra whatsoever, but helps these companies see where their marketing efforts are most effective. I only design for companies whose products I absolutely love and buy for myself. My opinions are always my own. If you're new to Whimsy please feel free to use the Whimsy Stamps discount code in my sidebar if you're doing some shopping and remember to check out their sale and retiring section, the deals are phenomenal!)

Challenge Entries:

Unicorn Challenge: #93 ~ Christmas

Little Red Wagon: #735 ~ Merry Christmas

Crafty Gals Corner: #250 ~ Tis The Season

Cupcake Inspiration: #584 ~ Winter Wonderland

As You Like It: Last Challenge of the Year ~ Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations Challenge: December ~ Happy Christmas/Happy New Year

UPDATE: My card made the Top 3 at Creative Inspirations Challenge. Thank you so much ladies!